One Pokédex, four model setups: hands-on comparison of GPT-6 Astra and DeepSeek V4.1 Flash
kevinkern · x · 2026-09-11
Kevin Kern built the same Pokédex app four ways: GPT-6 Astra alone, Astra leading with DeepSeek V4.1 Flash implementing, DeepSeek leading with Astra reviewing, and DeepSeek alone.
Key findings:
- Astra alone produced the most polished visuals and was 4x faster, but both reviewers ranked its code last on maintainability—bloated components, repeated CSS layout fixes, and a missing confirm button.
- Astra-leading + DeepSeek-implementing gave the cleanest separation (data, state, UI) and the codebase he'd rather maintain, at 4x the time.
His takeaway: Astra works best if you leave it alone—don't overload it with skills or try your own model-routing tricks.
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